How can you change a circuit? - 91�ȱ� Bitesize

A complete circuit

Electricity can flow through lots of different in a complete electrical circuit.

Watch: How to break a circuit

This video can not be played

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Find out how to change an electrical circuit

Electrical components

A circuit always needs a power source, such as a battery, with wires connected to both the positive (+) and negative (-) ends.

A circuit can also contain other electrical components, such as wires, bulbs, buzzers or motors, which allow electricity to pass through.

Electricity will only travel around a circuit that is complete. You can use a switch in a circuit to create a gap and this can be used to switch the power on and off.

When a switch is open (off), there is a gap in the circuit. Electricity cannot travel around the circuit. When a switch is closed (on), it makes the circuit complete. Electricity can travel around the circuit.

A circuit with a battery cell, bulb and switch — Image caption,
Adding more batteries to a simple circuit will increase the electrical energy, which will make a bulb brighter.

Activity 1: Identifying parts of a circuit

Activity 2: Quiz

Activity 3: Doorbell circuit

The doorbell on the right has been replaced in most homes by an electric bell that uses a buzzer.

Draw the circuit for a doorbell in a home. Remember that we need to open and close the circuit with a switch.

Challenge: What does the switch look like for a doorbell on most modern homes?

91�ȱ�